NCC, NiRA Shut Down MovieBox.ng in Major Crackdown on Online Piracy in Nigeria
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has shut down the popular illegal streaming platform MovieBox.ng, citing copyright violations and growing cybersecurity concerns for internet users across the country.
The enforcement action marks a significant victory for Nigeria’s ongoing war against digital piracy. The NCC, acting on the strength of a court order, collaborated with NiRA to suspend the domain, cutting off one of the country’s most visited platforms for pirated movies, music, and live sports content.
According to the NCC, MovieBox.ng operated as part of a broader piracy syndicate, leveraging a network of mirror and fallback domains to evade regulatory shutdowns. The platform drew millions of visitors by offering free access to copyrighted content, including newly released Nollywood and international films, without proper licensing or authorization.
“The shutdown of MovieBox.ng is part of our broader strategy to dismantle the infrastructure of piracy in Nigeria,” said Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC. “Piracy not only robs creators of their income, it also exposes consumers to malware, scams, and cybercrime.”
The action was carried out under the provisions of the Copyright Act, 2022, which grants the Commission authority to enforce intellectual property rights and protect the interests of rights holders. NiRA, as the registry operator for Nigeria’s .ng domain, confirmed that the domain was suspended for violating its terms of service.
In a public advisory, the NCC warned users that platforms like MovieBox.ng are often embedded with malicious software, phishing traps, and other cybersecurity threats. “These sites are not only illegal, they are dangerous,” the agency stated. “Users risk losing sensitive personal data or falling victim to fraud.”
The crackdown has been widely welcomed by stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industries. The Nollywood Association of Producers and Distributors (NAPD) praised the action, calling it “a landmark step in safeguarding the future of Nigerian cinema.”
“With this shutdown, we are seeing real protection for the thousands of jobs tied to film, music, and content creation in Nigeria,” said NAPD President Funke Adedayo. “We urge the government to remain vigilant, especially as pirates shift to clone sites and offshore servers.”
The operation is part of the NCC’s nationwide “STOP” initiative short for Stand Together against Online Piracylaunched earlier this year to mobilize government agencies, internet service providers, content creators, and intermediaries in the fight against digital infringement.
The Commission says more domain takedowns are being considered, particularly against platforms hosting unlicensed Nollywood content and live sports streams.
